The illuminated vision of Ed Hardy at Bonhams & Butterfields

SAN FRANCISCO – Bonhams & Butterfields’ April 5, auction of the Ed Hardy San Francisco collection brought more than $1.7 million, featuring a wide array of period furniture and decorative arts from the 17th through 20th centuries. The 700-lot sale offered eclectic and unique examples with a particular focus on the Italian aesthetic.

Featured works included a selection of Italian 20th century design, antiquities, carpets, and books as well as an array of European furnishings and decorative pieces. The sale included examples of Japanese and Chinese objects from porcelain to wallpaper panels and screens.

The marquee lot from the sale was a set of five 18th century Chinese export painted wallpaper panels in frames, which sold for $25,620. Each standing 9 feet tall, the watercolor on paper panels boasted an exotic colorful study of birds and butterflies amid lush bamboo and vibrant tree peonies in rich tones of green, iron red, pink, white and soft yellow.

Robust bidding was seen throughout the auction for competitively priced works curated by the international design institution of Ed Hardy San Francisco. Several pieces including an Italian Giuseppe Gimbelli burled ash, palisander and macassar ebony armoire (sold for $20,740) and an Italian Murano champagne glass 8-light chandelier (sold for $19,520) exceeded presale estimates and brought strong prices.

Additional highlights from the auction included a monumental Italian Baroque aqua and ochre painted 10-light chandelier, early 18th century (sold for $24,400); an Italian Baroque burl walnut serpentine commode (sold for $23,180); a George II giltwood console table, second quarter 19th century (sold for $23,180) and an Italian Baroque giltwood console table with Sicilian jasper veneered top, early 18th century (sold for $23,180).

Auctions featuring works of European furnishings at Bonhams & Butterfields will continue on June 15, with the Fine European Furniture and Decorative Arts including the American Museums Sale in San Francisco.